Thursday, July 24, 2014

Kerry's Lymphedema Lecture

I
have just returned from Houston where I attended the MD Anderson Cancer Center’s 10th Annual Integrative Oncology Training Conference. I spent three days in lectures and training sessions given by some of the smartest people I have ever encountered. I also got to hang with a few of the amazing and hilarious therapists from the Oncology Massage Alliance. (
I will gush about these fantastic folks and
their important mission in an upcoming post.) The conference was awesome. It
was edifying. It was compelling. It was overwhelmingly inspiring. It left me
thinking and writing about several things that I plan to share with you, dear reader. The first thing is lymphedema. Do you know about lymphedema? You should. Everyone should. Unfortunately, very few people do.Lymphedema is a condition that arises when there is malformation of or damage to lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic vessels in our bodies are crucial to immune function and fluid balance (and probably a lot of other things that medical researchers still don't really understand well).
When lymphatic vessels don't work properly,
protein-rich fluid backs up into the tissues. It creates swelling which can
potentially cause painful deformity, damage tissues and organs, and put a
person at high risk for serious, systemic infection. In
case this bland, science-esque description made your feel like this, take a moment to do
a Google
image search of lymphedema. Go ahead. I’ll wait…Right,
you’re back? Should I tell you more? I thought so.Unfortunately, cancer treatments can be a significant source of lymph node damage. Radiation can kill or scar lymph nodes and vessels. Cancer surgery, especially the surgeries used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, may involve removing lymph nodes. Now, will everyone who receives radiation or surgery that affects the lymph nodes develop lymphedema? No. Absolutely not. Some people develop lymphedema after cancer treatment and some do not.However!Everyone who receives radiation or surgery that affects the lymph nodes is at risk of developing lymphedema. And that risk is life-long. So everyone who is at risk needs to follow some basic precautions to avoid developing lymphedema. And everyone who has a history of lymphedema needs to follow precautions to avoid triggering symptoms. And guess what... These precautions include only receiving massage from a trained oncology massage therapist!In my
massage practice I encounter many people who have survived the awful gauntlet
of cancer and cancer treatment and now want to receive the same massage they
were accustomed to receiving before their diagnosis. They are often frustrated
because they feel like they are past cancer and they have a hard time believing
that a “regular” massage could trigger lymphedema, but the truth is: it can happen. It has
happened. It is a very real risk and I believe that no massage is worth
risking a person's health. Furthermore, a massage provided by a trained and skilled
oncology massage therapist can absolutely meet the needs of a client without putting them at risk. So any risk is unnecessary risk.If you’re thinking, “I can’t believe it! I’ve received (or given) a risky
massage! I didn’t know!” Take a deep breath. It’s okay. Once upon a time I thought the same thing.
I felt the same way. You didn't know. But now you do
know. So what can you do?So if you're a massage therapist, get trained! If you're a massage client with cancer or cancer history, get the right massage therapist!And if you're a human being with a lymphatic system, get educated! Here's just a small list to get you started:Lymphedema - Are You or Someone You Know at Risk? Step Up Speak Out National Lymphedema NetworkLymphatic System - Khan AcademySpread the word!

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About Me

Kerry has worked as a massage therapist since 2005. She received her initial massage training at the Palmer Institute of Massage and Bodywork. She has advanced training in Oncology, Prenatal, and Thai Massage.
Kerry is a member of ABMP, Oncology Massage Alliance, National Lymphedema Network, and is a preferred provider of the Society for Oncology Massage.
In addition to practicing massage, Kerry has been a massage educator since 2005. She has taught courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Research, Clinical Reasoning, Prenatal Massage, and massage for people in treatment for or with a history of cancer.
Since 2000, Kerry has also worked as a yoga instructor, specializing in Vinyasa, Prenatal, and Chair Yoga. She holds 200 & 500-hour yoga teacher certifications and is recognized by the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher.